QR wheels with a disc brake?

.ak

Anyone else have trouble releasing or remounting a wheel with quick release skewer and a hydraulic disc brake? I've had to remove mine a couple of times when cleaning the bike and I have an awful time getting it back on. Is there some trick to it?

The last time I found it so difficult to get in I think I damaged the brake pad slightly (the corner is showing a bit of wear where I obviously had trouble getting the disc inbetween the pads)

I've tried slotting the fork down onto the wheel, and I've tried turning the bike upside down.

Probably a case of practice makes perfect, but after seeing a bit of damage on the pads I'm afraid of taking the wheel off again!

cdaly_

When you take the wheel off, do you place anything between the brake pads? Maybe you accidentally squeezed the lever which pushed the pads in.

In any case, it should be possible to insert a screwdriver blade between the pads and pry them (gently) apart. Re-fit the wheel and a couple of squeezes of the brake lever will reset the pads. This only works for hydraulic brakes though you should be able to separate mechanical brake pads enough using the same method.

.ak

cdaly_ wrote: »

When you take the wheel off, do you place anything between the brake pads? Maybe you accidentally squeezed the lever which pushed the pads in.

In any case, it should be possible to insert a screwdriver blade between the pads and pry them (gently) apart. Re-fit the wheel and a couple of squeezes of the brake lever will reset the pads. This only works for hydraulic brakes though you should be able to separate mechanical brake pads enough using the same method.

Ah. That's exactly what happened. I didn't realise the brakes did that. I had to use a thin blade to separate them. I noticed it came with a stopper when shipped too. Thanks!

Eamonnator

Be careful, if using a screwdriver. The point can damage the pads.
I use a cheap plastic tyre lever.

.ak

Yeah I just used a very thin knife. But I noticed I already did a bit of damage to the corner of the pad with the brake discs themselves. It's basically a little dent in the corner of the pad itself. Is that bad enough to replace, or should I just leave it? The braking seems fine. I've done the whole pull the bike towards you test and it feels solid.

cdaly_

Nah, that should be fine.

For future reference, there's likely a small edge of pad back with no braking material. You should be able to start there and get enough of a gap to slide a blade between the pads proper. Beware of going to the back of the pad and damaging a seal though.

Also, if you look at the top of the caliper, you should be able to see the backs of the pads from above/behind. Levering from there should work also.

Mr. Grieves

Should it take a lot of force to push the pistons back? Every time my brake pads wear I seem to have to take the bike to the LBS cos I can't get the pistons to move back enough to fit new pads, trying all the suggestions in this thread. I borrowed a friend's wheel for a few days and it had a slightly narrower rotor than mine. Now when I put my wheel back on this evening I can't stop the brakes rubbing. Very annoying, they were working perfectly before!

.ak

cdaly_ wrote: »

Nah, that should be fine.

For future reference, there's likely a small edge of pad back with no braking material. You should be able to start there and get enough of a gap to slide a blade between the pads proper. Beware of going to the back of the pad and damaging a seal though.

Also, if you look at the top of the caliper, you should be able to see the backs of the pads from above/behind. Levering from there should work also.

Yeah, another thing is not to do this in dim light! That's probably where I went wrong.